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Question
Hi,
There are some people who can multiply 8 digits with another 8 digits in their mind. Also I have seen a guy (who don't even have a mathematics degree) in tv who could multiply 8 digit number by 1,2,..and so on till 1,00,000 in his mind and read the result within a minute. How are they able to do that? Is there any trick?
Regards
Hi Nain,
Well, there are tricks to do multiplication, but for 8 digit numbers, it is very difficult with tricks or not. I think that they are able to do this with the use of fast math and a few tricks. Take for example 17*10. Instead of doing 17 + 17 + 17... ten times you can just add a 0 at the end of 17 to get 170 as your answer. So the point is, they must be using tricks like this.
As for the math degree, these tricks don't really rely on any math above arithmetic. So this is why the person did not need a math degree. He just needed an unusually fast mind.
I hope this helped,
Robi
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Answers by Expert:
Robi Bhattacharjee
Expertise
I can answer a variety of questions on mathematics. Questions on trigonometry, calculus(preferably single variable), algebra, geometry, and number theory will be answered. I cannot answer questions on abstract branches of mathematics such as group theory. I also cannot answer questions on statistics. In number theory, I can answer questions on congruences, prime numbers, units, functions, and the riemann-zeta function.
Experience
I have studied advanced math my entire life. I started calculus in sixth grade. I have attended numerous math competitions and I am attending math organizations such as the San-Diego math circle. Also, this year I have been invited to the USAMO which is a prestigious math competition (Every year the USAMO invites 500 students from across the USA to participate in this competition. The top 6 go to represent the USA in the International Math Olympiad).
Organizations
I am in the San Diego Math Circle
Education/Credentials
I am entering high school and have received a perfect score and the STAR test 5 times in a row. I also have gotten recognitions in the AMC 10, AIME, Math Counts, and ARML. Additionally, I have won the San Diego Math Olimpiad twice in a row.
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